Human Intestinal Capillariasis: A Rare Cause of Chronic Diarrhoea In India

Abstract

Human intestinal capilliariasis is a disease endemic to the Philippines and Thailand 1,2 . The disease causing agent, Capillaria philippinensis is an intestinal nematode belonging to the superfamily, Trichinelloidae. Infection ensues as a result of ingestion of raw or insufficiently cooked fish, harboring larvae. Small intestine, especially the jejunum is usually the affected organ, resulting in chronic diarrhea, malabsorption, abdominal pain and borborgymi. It may be misdiagnosed as malabsorption disorder in non-endemic areas, especially since the eggs are excreted sporadically in feces and maybe missed unless multiple samples are examined. Microscopic examination of jejunal biopsy and aspirated content may help establish the diagnosis. India is non endemic for C. philippinensis infestation. To our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of Capillariasis from India.